My team on Culture Day March 29, 2008 at IFL
In Cambodia, the way of greeting and the use of respect languages play as an important role. Greetings are always initiated by the younger person when seeing an elder or meet others in the first time; otherwise, it would be rude because this way is the main part of Khmer respectful tradition. Our custom offers greeting with hands in front of face-palms together in prayer-like fashion, in Khmer called Sampeah. In contrast, western people always hug, kiss or shake hand as their habit. In addition, most Asian societies use respect language for communication. They have many forms of speeches which depend on age, sex and social status with whom they are talking. Also, there are some other polite behavior of Khmer people which could make western interested in. Khmer people always accept something with both hands from elder or respectful persons, and also lower the body gesture for walking through while they are sitting. For instance, Cambodian students always give or get something from teacher with both hands to show that teacher is the respect person. Moreover, Asians do not allow someone to touch on the head because they regard it as a sacred part of the body; whereas, the western people think that it is just a simple behavior in their culture. Furthermore, it is alright for two friends (male and male, or female and female) to hold hands in public in Cambodia. Actually, they are not gay as in homosexual; therefore, they are just good friends. In contrast, western people believe that only homosexual or gay would do such kind of this thing in public.
eatchanbopha
Thanks Bopha for your explanation.
== When you talk about greeting I would also like to see your Khmer people greeting each other in photo. But here i see your team only. I hope to see your greeting photos very soon and I can show them to my friends.
== About body contact, why Cambodian people are afraid of others when doing something? He/she should do something at their own, independently. Even they are not considered as homo, guy or lesbian but they could be seen as bi-sexual… At this point, I would just like to say that we should not care much about others before taking action providing that our action will not annoy or disturb other. Anyway, for those who like thinking or talking about other’s action will never stop doing this. So let’s them do or think whatever they want. We also have the right to do ours.
Just some frank ideas. pls apologise me for any inconvenience.
Thanks Wirakh for your comment.
Have u ever known before about the way of Khmer people greeting? I do missed one point that I did not post the photo to show about that.
What do u mean by saying that Cambodian people are afraid of others? Anyway, what do u think if I ask you that why Western people are afraid of holding hands in public for male and male or female and female?
These are just some points that I concern about what we are talking.
Hi all,
I would like to thanks you people for contributing very usful article here.
I don’t have any comment, but to admire you.